Buffalo Common Council Report 7.9.13

Year 39 CDBG – The Council approved the proposed final budgets for the Year 39 Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solutions Grant, and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS grant.

Designation for Notices of Claim Filed Against the City – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Council President and Lovejoy District Council Member Richard A. Fontana, designating the City of Buffalo Corporation Counsel Timothy A. Ball, and his successors in office, as the designee to whom the New York State Secretary of State will forward all Notices of Claim filed against the City of Buffalo.

Call for Construction of ECC Health Sciences Facility at City Campus – The Council approved a resolution calling for the construction of Erie Community College’s proposed health sciences facility at the City Campus and calling on Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and ECC’s Board of Trustees to give strong consideration to locating the facility at 100 N. Division Street. Doing so will both maximize returns on investment to county taxpayers who paid for the site and take advantage of the most obvious expansion opportunity adjacent to the City Campus.

Extending the Public Comment Period for NY Gateway Connections Improvement Project – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by North District Council Member Joseph Golombek, Jr., formally requesting that the United States Federal Highway Administration and the New York State Department of Transportation extend the public comment period for the NY Gateway Connections Improvement Project to the U.S. Plaza for an additional 30 days, from July 11, 2013 to August 10, 2013. The resolution also requests that the above entities further publicize the project materials and website, increase the community’s ability to provide comment, and perform outreach to the ten percent of nearby residents who have no English or Spanish proficiency.

1 Massachusetts Avenue – Former Episcopal Home Property – The Council adopted a resolution, sponsored by Niagara District Council Member David A. Rivera, requesting that New York State honor the City of Buffalo Historic Landmark status of the Hutchison Memorial Chapel and Thornton Memorial Hall and makes every effort to preserve both of these buildings. The resolution also requests that Empire State Development ensure the safety and security of the entire property, understanding its recent problematic status in the community and makes every effort to ensure it will not be a source of blight and vandalism.

Trailblazing Sign – Margaret (Marge) Nigrelli – The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by South District Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon, approving the installation of a trailblazing sign at the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and McKinley Parkway as “Marge Nigrelli Way.”

Ordinance Amendment – The Council approved an ordinance amendment, sponsored by Council President and Lovejoy District Council Member Richard A. Fontana, requiring that an asbestos survey, asbestos abatement letter, and an inspection report supplied by a New York State licensed asbestos inspector, must be submitted as part of the application for a building demolition permit.

Waiving of Fees

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Council Members David A. Franczyk and Darius G. Pridgen, waiving the tent permit fees associated with the 2013 Buffalo Brewfest to be held on August 9, 2013.

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, waiving the permit fees associated with The 44th Annual Grease Pole Festival to be held on July 19-21, 2013 at the Olivencia Community Center.

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, waiving the permit fees associated with The Festival Folklorico to be held on July 19, 2013 and August 9, 2013 at Canalside.

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Niagara District Council Member David A. Rivera, waiving the permit and special event fees associated with Primera Iglesia Metodista Nueva Vision’s Health Fair to be held on July 20, 2013 and also approving the use of the Residential Area Parking Program lot at 182 Grant Street for the event.

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Niagara District Council Member David A. Rivera, waiving the special event fees associated with the Prince of Peace Christian Church’s “Urban Community Outreach 2013” to be held July 26-28, 2013.

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Niagara District Council Member David A. Rivera, waiving the permit and special event fees associated with the United States Marine Corps, Charlie Company, 1/25 Annual Family Picnic to be held at Front Park on July 14, 2013.

The Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Majority Leader and Masten District Council Member Demone A. Smith, waiving the special event park fee associated with the Ellicott Mall Reunion Community Day to be held on August 10, 2013 at JFK Park.

Appointments

The Council approved the appointment of the following individuals to positions within the following City of Buffalo departments:

Department of Public Works

Truck Driver

Kevin Vance, Jr.

Supervisor Street Sanitation I

Joseph Mazur

Department of Police

Police Chief

Thomas Moran

License and Permit Approvals—Upon the recommendation of the Department of Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:

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